Author: Stephen and Jodi

Merry Christmas


We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We are walking in a winter wonderland! It has snowed continuously for the past few days – we feel like we are living in a Gingerbread House in the middle of the woods, and that somebody shook a globe and we are living in the middle of it.

Life is good when you’re snowed in – it forces you to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures of being alive.


RED KETTLE FUN! They braved the cold elements (-8 below zero). It was fun thto see the can fill up with money!

Making chocolates at Stacie’s house, a Parker holiday tradition seemd a little odd without Sharon. But they still taste good!
Olivia babysat JT while we loaded up oranges.
Got to help the Good Fellows bag oranges that will be distributed along with all of the food from the scouting for food drive.

Comments:

John said…

What a fun Christmas you are having. My on ly thought is this: Where is Stephen’s coat in the 8 below zero weather a jacket just doesn’t cut it. Great memories for a great family.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 6:18:50 AM

Jana said…

What fun memories you are all making together this time of year.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:49:04 AM

It’s quiet …you better come find me!


I was on the phone talking Primary talk last week when I accidentally walked passed the Piano Room in our house. There I found a happy three year old in the middle of wrapping paper and playing with her Polly Pocket that Mason had just wrapped up for her a couple of nights previous. Luckily I was the first to encounter her and quickly retrieved the newly unwrapped gifts to go and re wrap without any more notice. We have since had a discussion about why we wait until Christmas to open gifts, but for one small moment Olivia was living the high life.

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa and Paul said…

If you were able to communicate why not open presents early to a curious three-year old, you are a great teacher. We had to smile at the whole thing. She is a crack-up. Give her a hug from us.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:52:44 AM

Jana said…

I remember doing that as a kid..I never got caught though it was always a bummer on Christmas morning to open gifts I had already opened a week earlier!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:57:50 AM

Amy said…

When Bridget was about three, I walked downstairs to see no presents under the Christmas tree. After looking throughout the house, I discovered them on Bridget’s bed all lined up. She had taken every one up into her bedroom. Funny girl.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 8:14:08 PM

Concert Mistress


Sitting as concert mistress Alexis played in her first violin concert. It was fun to see her playing an instrument with a group. Her violin teacher’s name is, Richard Ferguson, a person that I was in orchestra with when I was a kid. “Jolly Ole’ Cannon” was her favorite song that the sixth grade played. Her stand partner was nice enough to carry her violin as she made her way to her seat. They sounded really good! As Baldwin tradition stands we had to go eat ice cream afterward to celebrate. I was a proud mother – it is hard NOT to get overexcited. For now I am just going to be happy that Alexis consented to play in the orchestra – but oh the potential she has. I am glad that she is such a socialite – that is what she likes the most about being in orchestra. I’ll take that!

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa and Paul said…

That is a smiling blog. Alexis doesn’t miss a thing with her handicap. We like her style. keep up the good work.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:48:32 AM

Jana said…

Lexi..you are a well rounded little lady you do it all, glad to see you have success in your talents!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:55:56 AM

Some Firsts


Here are a few pictures of the little guy at our house. He is gearing up for his first ever Christmas.

Today his sisters bundled him up in his snow clothes and pulled him in the sled. He wasn’t very excited about it – especially the bundling part – but he put up with it for at least 5 minutes.

He also took a ride on the vacuum for the first time tonight. Mason ran and grabbed the camera to capture this milestone (he is his father’s son!).

He also got his first “buzz” haircut on Sunday. He looked so handsome and of course smiled through the whole process.

Life with JT around is so much fun! We are sooooo lucky.


Alexis loved riding on the vacuum, so I thought I’d try it out with JT. He didn’t like it as much as she did.
Likes to help with the dishwasher.

JT keeps having trouble with his pjs at night. He wakes up with both legs on one side of his pajamas…it is kind of funny.

Mason trying to warn JT of how this is such a necessary evil.

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker and Paul said…

That JT is a fun little guy. Paul says that he looks just like the pictures and assures us that he is a great little person. Give him a hug from us.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:19:28 AM

Jana said…

I just love that kid…he makes me smile!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:00:47 PM

Lightning !


On Thursday I had P.E., all the kids were playing lightning ,and I love that game!Anyway I joined in (yes with a broken leg)and I made it from the 3 point line! Yay Me!

Comments:

Riley said…

Nice!!!
Sunday, December 21, 2008 9:26:32 PM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Ya you indeed! You are full of desire to participate. That is a great gift. Have a happy Christmas.
Monday, December 22, 2008 12:38:49 AM

Mom said…

Way to make the best of a broken bone…you’ve never been the type to sit back and sulk! Nice three pointer…
Monday, December 22, 2008 8:04:22 AM

Chopped


My mom has been trying to get me to cut my hair…I surprised her by getting it chopped! Jana cut it into an A line tonight. I like it, but it feels weird!

Comments:

Jana said…

Very cute gal no matter what your hair looks like…you are a beauty!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:17:11 AM

Aunt Anne said…

Looks cute Lexi! I love it, fun new hairdoo for the holidays!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:57:55 AM

Matt said…

I love it you look good.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:40:27 PM

Steph said…

You can’t go wrong with an A-line. You’re pretty no matter what you do with your hair, it’s all about your eyes.
Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:38:55 PM

Christmas Pleasures


AMX Christmas Party – we were given two styrofoam balls and five toothpicks to create a snowman for a prize… we won!We have been enjoying our Christmas Season … it is nice to have the heart opened a little bit larger and eyes more forgiving and countenances more full of light. Here are some pictures of a few of our simple pleasures over the past week.


A new friend at the nursing home named Agnes.
Have I done any good in the world today?
Olivia had a run in with a fork – it was a traumatic experience. Mason (and all the others) were quick to her aide. Mason volunteered to read her a story and she stopped crying and he read her to sleep. sweet moment!

Charity taught us about toys for tots.
Telling the Fire Fighters in Rexburg “thank you and Merry Christmas”. When we went to leave Olivia said, “we didn’t go to the fire station”. She wanted to see a fire truck – so we went back and showed her the brand new “lellow” fire truck!
Alexis put on 10 pair of socks over her cast so she wouldn’t get left out of the winter fun! It was funny watching her crawl around on the snow.

We missed the Baldwin Christmas party in Blackfoot because of a nasty storm…we decided to use our white elephant gifts and have our own party.
Mason found out that White Elephant gifts aren’t always a good deal.
This guy had a lot of fun with an almond m&m he found on the floor.

Now exposed – Uncle Trevin was employee of the month and didn’t even tell us!
Parker Snowflake Production
Having fun in the snow.

Trimming the tree downstairs. Our favorite tree to unpack the
ornaments each child has received over the years – it’s very nostalgic, but Olivia doesn’t understand why Alexis has more than her.
Thanks to Grant and Grace who gave our family a Gingerbread House kit for Christmas! We had a lot of fun for FHE decorating it.
Our Christmas Elf, Charity, left popsicle sticks for us to make snowflake ornaments for the Nursing Home residents…Mason and Lily wanted to get right to work.

Comments:

Jana said…

What fun times and great memories…on the Craigos billboard it says “make memories this year not landfills” Love that you are doing just that with all your fun family events.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:15:08 AM

Anne said…

Looks like you are enjoying the holidays! So fun! It all looks like good times!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:00:52 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Looks like lots of fun times. It looks like it will be a white Christmas there. Merry Christmas to you guys.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:00:49 PM

Tio Pablo said…

Thanks for inviting me too! Maybe Charity told you to invite me over cause that really made my day. Thanks!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 3:44:44 PM

Magan said…

Fun Stuff!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:16:29 PM

Parker Cousins


Olivia, Alexis, JT, Mason, and LilyHere are pictures of the individual families in their Portugal Shirts – just in case anyone wants one of their family and didn’t get one. There are 26 cousins and 2 more on their way.


Jessi, Kenzie, Zach, Haley
Sami, Kassie, Owen, and Will
Jana (sitting in for baby Brewer), Harry, Hannah, and Carson

Matt, Riley, Parker, Taylor, and Brooke
Cooper, Kate, Quinn, Paige, and Rhett

Lily Catch Up


Out in the fields of Bethlehem, Shepherds were watching their flocks.Lily has had some fun things happen recently.

She was in her the annual Central Elementary Christmas Program last week. She did such a great job. Her class did a cute little dance as sheep. She showed us exactly where she would be and we sat right in front of her! She didn’t loose character once when we called out her name. She was focused and did her job. One of her favorite songs was “I have a little Dreydle”. I teared up a little bit when all of the kids were singing “let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”. Watching children sing Christmas music really put me in the Christmas mood.

This past Sunday, Lily notified us that one of her two front teeth was ready to come out – and it really was. She asked Stephen to get out his leatherman and he yanked it out in one pull. Lily was happy to wake up the next morning to find the tooth fairy found her! I personally think she is ultra brave – I know I would never have let my dad use his pliers in my mouth. I guess she knows she can trust him and that it’s been done before on Lex and Mason.

We are so lucky to get to be with Lily each day, she is one in a million.

Comments:

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

WOW, you are brave, I don’t like anyone to pull my teeth. You make a cute sheep too. You are such a sweet girl, and so happy too. We love you.
Friday, December 12, 2008 4:21:38 PM

Stephanie said…

If it’s one thing your dad is good at it’s using pliers. I am happy the tooth fair found you. You have an even cuter smile. You make a great sheep, I love the ears.
Saturday, December 13, 2008 6:37:59 PM

Tough Break


Looking goodThis last Saturday I was rock climbing with my cousins (Kassie, Paige, Riley and Taylor) at my Grandpa and Grandma’s house. Then we wanted to pull ourselves up on the ropes Riley started having the feeling that we shouldn’t do it. We didn’t think anything of it so we started pulling ourselves up, while we were pulling ourselves up, my harness came untied and I went flying to the ground. Riley said she saw the rope fly up and I was not on it. She heard a thud looked down and saw me lying on the floor. Everyone was like “are you ok Lex?” I said, “no.” That night I ended up going swimming to green canyon and jumped off the diving board several times, everyone was carrying me around like a back pack. My dad told me to tough it up because he thought I was just playing it up.

I tried to be brave and go to church but tripped on my way in and hurt myself worse. I was in some serious pain so Tara gave me some ibuprofen. Later that day we had a party at my Aunt Stacie’s house, we went to the Christmas devotional and then went home. My dad was still telling me to try and walk on it to make it feel better. This morning my mom had a feeling that she should take me to the doctor. We found out that I had broken my Tibia (the larger bone in you lower leg). In the spirit of the season the Dr gave me a red and green striped cast. Come and see me and my crutches.


Just for those who want to see a tibia
nice and festive

Comments:

Dad said…

Sorry Lex, You are a lot tougher than I give you credit. I will make sure to pamper you more.
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:16:40 AM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Alexis, you sure have had your share of tough luck with broken bones this year. We sure hope it’s all over for the rest of your life. We are so sorry that it happened, but you sure showed a lot of grit trying to push through it. Thanks for being such a powerful grand-daughter. That is the best looking cast we’ve ever seen!
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:22:06 AM

Paul said…

Man girl you are tough. I know what it is like to have a Dad tell you to be tough. Grandpa broke my hand when he slammed it in the trunk and I broke both my feet. It was my Mom not my Dad who ended up taking me to the doctor. Thank goodness for sweet Moms!!!
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:33:56 AM

Riley said…

No one listens to the fun sized people!!!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:42:52 PM

matt said…

Now I have to ‘jump’ out of the tree again!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:45:32 PM

Stacie said…

Wow Lexi! That is a fun cast! how long do you have to wear it? You need to drink more milk!! Take care of yourself!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:19:00 PM

Grandpa Baldwin said…

Lex, We are so sorry to see you have to go through another broken bone! And all in one year! I remember you falling from the ladder to the playhouse at our home in Rexburg! All these accidents make the Resurretion more meaningful -everything will be restored to its proper and perfect frame, even a hair of the head shall not be lost. You have an awesome cast! I know what it’s like to have a broken tibia (and fibula) – not fun, as your dad would say. We are anxious to visit during the Christmas holidays.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:44:35 AM

Patricia said…

Soooo sorry, Lex! What a deal a break is around your ankle. You be careful so it can heal fast, okay? I love your cast. You have a very “gifted” and “talented” Dr. My cast last year was a festive green one, also. However it lacked the strips. You got a bonus. Sure love you. Take care. (Your “broken bone” gift is on the way!) Love, Grandma B.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:57:27 AM